Exploring how Moroccan farmers in Khemisset province adapt to climate change: perceptions and strategies.

Introduction: Agriculture, a sector heavily reliant on weather and climate, is particularly vulnerable to the unpredictability and shifts brought about by climate change. This study specifically addresses the impact of climate change on yields and agricultural production in the Khemisset province, a region within the Rabat–Sale–Kenitra area that is notably susceptible to these environmental changes.

Methods: The methodology used is a combination approach of quantitative and qualitative research. Among other tools for processing data were descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. In total, 120 research units were surveyed in the study area. The middle peasant population was not homogeneous, and four categories of producers were formed to analyze the perceptions and peasant strategies developed. They have been chosen according to the soil, vegetation, and livestock type.

Results: The main conclusions derived from the study results are as follows: We observed a negative evolution of the climate parameters during the last two decades (1985-2015). Virtually all the producers of the area studied perceive a negative evolution of the different climatic parameters, which is consistent in most cases with the analysis of meteorological data. The changes and climate variability have negative impacts on agriculture. The local populations have a good understanding of the evolution of agricultural yields. Using fertilizers, crop rotation, early varieties of crops, and other types of adaptations are the responses by some Zemmour peasants against the effects of climate change.

Conclusions: This study suggests that further research into the application of advanced technologies in agriculture could be beneficial. These technologies have the potential to significantly improve crop yields and quality, offering a promising avenue for mitigating the effects of climate change on agriculture.